Fire and burglar alarm



(No Model.)

L. L. ROGERS.

FIRE AND BURGLAR ALARM.

No. 540,803. Patented June 11; 1895.

' effect their connection, and so as to permit LEE L. ROGERS, 0E

QUINCY, ILLINOIS.

FIRE AND BURGLAR ALARM.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 540,803, dated June 11, 1895.

Application filed October 16, 1894.

To aZl whom it may concern.-

Be it known that 1, LEE L. ROGERS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Quincy, in the county of Adams and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Fire and Burglar Alarm, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to detonating alarms, or those which are provided with means whereby a cartridge or equivalent device may be exploded upon the happening of a predetermined event.

The principal object of the invention is to insure the effective operation of the alarm, and this end I attain by peculiarly constructing a device composed of two main parts, one of which is designed to carry a cartridge while the remaining part is adapted to carry a firing pin capable of being forced into engagement with the cap of the cartridge. The two parts are made to screw together so as to the removal and placing of the cartridge.

In the drawings, Figure 1 represents a perspective View showing my complete arrangement in operative adjustment; Fig. 2, a vertical section thereof; Fig. 3, a detail perspective of the firing-pin; Fig. 4, a bottom plan of the device, showing how it may be locked so as to prevent its operation.

The reference numeral 1 indicates the cartridge-carrying portion or sleeve of my invention, and 2 that part which carries the firing pin. The part 1 is shaped with a cylindrical portion 3, screw-threaded throughout its extent, and with a tapering and rounded portion 4. Formed in the cartridge-carrying portion 1, and extending longitudinally throughout the length thereof, is a passage 5, which extends centrally throughout the portion 1, and which is designed to receive a cartridge, as shown at 6, a rabbet-groove 7 being formed in the lower end of the passage and adapted for the reception of the usual flange of the cartridge.

8 indicates a supporting bail or loop which is pivotally connected to the upper end of the cartridge-carrying portion 1, and which is adapted for furnishing means for connecting the alarm to a support, as shown in Fig. 1.

The part 2 consists of a substantially bulbshaped block, provided with a central cavity eel-a1 No. 526,094. (NomodeL) 9 in its upper side, said cavity being internally threaded so as to match with the threads on the cylindrical portion 3 of the part 1, and into which cavity said cylindrical portion is arranged when the parts are assembled, as shownin Figs. 1 and 2 of the draw ings. Passing from the bottom of the cavity 9 downwardly to the lower side of portion 2 is the passage 10, which is enlarged at its upper end and which is adapted for the reception of the firing pin 11. The pin 11 is of such a size that it will fit snugly within the lower portion of the passage 10, and is provided, at its upper end, with a head or enlargement 12, which, together with the expansive spring 13, fits within the enlarged upper portion of the passage 10. This spring 13 gives the firing pin a tendency upward, which tendency is controlled by the linch pin 14 passing transversely through the lower end of the firing pin 11, which lower end is projected below the bottom of the portion 2, as will be seen by reference to the drawings. The bottom of the pin-carrying portion 2 is formed with an extension 15, projecting downwardly therefrom and having the radial grooves 16 and 17 formed therein. These grooves are adapted for the reception of the linch pin' 14 and are four in number, two designated by the numerals 16 and two by 17.

The grooves 16 are oppositely arranged and are adapted to carry the pin 14 when the parts are in operative adjustment, said grooves being nearer the upper portion of the firing-pin carrying part 2, while the grooves 17 are adapted to carry the linch pin when the parts are out of gear, inclined sides 18 being provided so as to make it possible to revolve the firing pin 11 in the operation of moving the pin 14 from one pair of grooves to the other.

In the use of my invention the'parts are arranged in the positions shown in Figs. 1 and 2 of the drawings, and the cartridge 6 placed within the passage 5, as shown and described. The arrangement should now be hung from a cord, such as 19, Fig. 1, and in a way so that a it will be severed upon the opening of a door or window. Supposing now that a burglar should attempt to enter a house, and in so doing fracture the cord 19, the alarm will drop with the part 2 downward, causing the lower end of the firing pin 11 to forcibly engage the ICC floor. This will explode the cartridge 6 and make the Well-known report. The explosion of the cartridge 6 is elfected by means of the stud 20, formed integral with the head or enlargement 12 of the firing pin 11, and adapted to engage the cap of the cartridge, as will be understood. This stud 2O constitutes the fir= ing pin proper, though the whole part 11 has been designated by that broad term.

It will be observed that the firing-pin-carrying portion 2 being heavier than the part 1, will cause the alarm to fall with such portion downward, thus insuring the engagement of the firing pin with the door when the device strikes it. It will be understood, of course, that the alarm is formed of metal, preferably cast steel, though this may be varied at will. It will also be understood that the device is useful as a fire alarm, and that this may be effected by placing the cord 19 in such a position that a possible fire would consume it, so that when the fire takes place the alarm will be dropped with the above described results.

Blank cartridges are usually employed with the device, since the possibility of hitting a burglar with theload from a loaded one would be very slight, and since considerable danger would attend such a use.

NVhile I have shown the device suspended by a cord and stated that it is to be operated upon the breaking or burning of the same, it will be understood that this is not the only way by which the device may be made to operate. For example, it could be dropped by means of a trigger arrangement connected with a door or window, and operated upon the opening or breaking thereof. Again, electricity could be used to effect the dropping of the device, and this by connecting the electrical appliance with a door orwindow so that it will be operated as explained. Still further, the principle of the thermostat could be applied to the invention and made to drop the device when the contingency before explained happens. All of this will be obvious without further description or illustration.

In practice it is my purpose to employ cartridges having smokeless powder and ashestos wads, whereby the wads are prevented from becoming fired,and the danger of burning buildings in which the device is arranged avoided.

Having described the invention, I claim A detonating alarm consisting of a cartridge-carrying portion provided with means for receivingacartridge, a firing-pin-carrying portion,a firing pin in said portion and adapted to explode the cartridge, and a linch pin passing through the lower and outer end of the firing pin and operating to hold the same in place, the lower end of the firing'pin-carrying portion being formed with two grooves therein arranged out of horizontal alignment and having between them an inclined surface leading from one to the other, said grooves being adapted to receive the linch pin aforesaid, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own'I have hereto affixed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

LEE L. ROGERS.

\Vitnesscs:

F. M. MOCANN, K. C. LITTON. 

